New York City with Children Activity Ideas
 

I will be going to Christmas Spectacular this Sat. 12/3. Plan on parking at Rock Center and eating at Sea Grill for lunch after show. Any ideas for what to do after? Children are 6 and 3. Lots of walking will be out, but would love to see Macy's windows. Any ideas on how to get to the windows from Rock. center without walking. Will traffic be a mess? Also how far is FAO Schwarz from Rock Center. Would love any advice/ideas. Thanks

Traffic both human and car will be a nightmare on Saturday.

Macy's is at Herald Square which is around 34th and Broadway. Rockefeller Center is around 50th between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. If you don't want to walk, take the bus or subway. Cabs may be really hard to get. An easier suggestion would be to take the short walk over to Saks Fifth Avenue to see their windows. Right across the street.

You can walk right up Fifth Avenue to FAO Schwarz. It will be about 9 blocks.

Plan on very large crowds.

FAO is less than a mile north

My niece and I just returned from New York. I wasn't prepared for the HUGE crowds of people everywhere. Didn't go to FAO Schwarz, but the Times Square ToysRUs was amazingly packed. As long as you know this, are prepared for it, and relax and take your time you'll be OK. We didn't have trouble getting cabs though and with two small ones this might be your best option. The best time to see the windows to avoid the crowds is really early in the morning or late at night.

I haven't been to Sea Grill, but my niece and I were seated right next to the window at the Rockefeller Cafe and really enjoyed watching the skaters.

The best advice I can offer you is don't overschedule. Everything will take much more time than you think and you will all be too frazzled to enjoy it.

Saks Fifth Ave. is directly across from Rock. Ctr. and those windows are usually great. So is the American Girl store! I wouldn't attempt Macy's. What about taking them up to Top of the Rock, the new observation deck at the top of Rock. Ctr?

If you want to get into FAO and there is a line out front, go around the block to Madison and use that door - you'll walk right in.

Some of the worst lines at FAO are at the cash register. Once you get in, try to restrain yourself from buying anything, just so you can get OUT.

Also, if you are already over to FAO, you could walk thru Central Park and go ice skating (not sure about 3 year old, but 6 yr old might enjoy this) or ride the carosel.

You will be going in two different directions if you plan on going to FAO & Macy's from Rockefeller. We liked Toys R Us in Times Square more than FAO so you may want to skip FAO. The kids would probably enjoy the ferris wheel ride inside Toys R Us, but there may be a long line that particular day. Check Macy's schedule for sitting or storytime with Santa. If you decide to head towards FAO, then you could do Saks windows instead. The kids will love Dylan's Candy Bar store near FAO.

Thank you all for the very valuable information! Looking forward to a great day in the city!